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Ambar Capitol Hill

Name: Ambar Capitol Hill
Address: 523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC, United States, 20003
Telephone: (202) 813-3039
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

4291 Reviews

$31 to $50

Balkan style

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Ambar is the first modern, international Balkan cuisine restaurant in DC. Inside three locations in Belgrade, Arlington and Washington DC, Ambar blends tradition and heritage with creativity and modern design. The result is an unforgettable visitor experience that reaches all the senses with delicious food, unbelievable drinks and an atmosphere that blends comfort and high style. From rich food, fine furniture, interior design and the widest choice of the finest Balkan rakias, to our first class service – every detail is meticulously woven into an unique experience that will leave you breathless. Welcome to the best of the Balkans.

2h time limit wont apply for brunch reservations made after 1:30pm due to service

**For parties of 6 Ambar Capital Hill requests a credit card number to secure the reservation. All credit card information will be processed securely. No-shows or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance may be subject to a charge of $27 per person**

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Mar 21, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 127 times today

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Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Balkan style, Modern European, Eastern European
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 813-3039
Website
http://www.ambarrestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Nenad Petrovic
Private party facilities
Ambar is a modern Balkan tapas-style restaurant. With a desire to introduce Washington, D.C. to cutting edge Balkan cuisine, proprietor Ivan Iricanin has created a dining space that will delight and indulge the senses.
Private party contact
Tamara Jovanovic: (855) 993-1691

Location
523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Neighborhood
Capitol Hill
Cross street
E Street
Parking details
Public metered parking via parking station is available along 8th Street, SE from E Street to our north to I street to our south. 2 hour residential parking located nearby in the surrounding neighborhood at E Street, G Street, 7th Street, and 9th StreetOrange, Blue and Silver Lines exiting at the Eastern Market metro station are next to Ambar.
Public transit
We are metro accessible via the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines exiting at the Eastern Market metro station. Walk east to 8th Street and then proceed south 1 and a half blocks to our location at 523 8th Street (west side of the block).<br />
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Popular dishes

Veal Soup
bone broth / root vegetables & crème fraiche
Tomato Soup
house-made pesto / roasted tomatoes
Balkan Salad
tomatoes / onions / cucumbers / peppers / sherry vinaigrette / balkan cheese
Kale Caesar
baby kale / house-made caesar dressing / garlic croutons
Field Greens
seasonal greens / roasted butternut squash / roasted red pepper / caramelized onion / crispy bacon / honey-pomegranate dressing

Baked

Cheese Pie
crispy phyllo dough / aged cheese / roasted pepper cream / yogurt
White Flatbread
sheep's cheese / mozzarella / drizzled with truffle oil
Sudzuk Flatbread
house-made tomato sauce / smoked beef sausage / kajmak / oregano

Vegetables

Grilled Vegetables
herb marinaded local seasonal vegetables garlic beans spread
Brussel Sprouts
crispy bacon / lemon-garlic yogurt
Baked Beans
cannellini beans / smoked roasted peppers / caramelized onion
Hand-Cut Fries
house-made smoked aioli / chef's spice blend
Cauliflower
parsley-tahini spread / pine nut crumble
Asparagus
thyme veloute / roasted squash / fried quail egg

Slow Cooked

Sarma 'Pork Belly Stuffed Cabbage'
oven-baked for eight hours with root vegetables with rice and smoked peppers
Beef Short Rib Goulash
Wells Family Farm beef braised for five hours in red wine reduction, served with trofie pasta
Slow Roasted Lamb
Marcho Farms lamb shoulder roasted for six-hours served with braised potatoes, onions & carrots
Stuffed Pepper
local harvest bell peppers stuffed with house-ground Wells Family Farm beef and raisin rice, served with creamy dill sauce

Chef Delicacies

Lamb Lasagna
Marcho Farms lamb / eggplant / tomato / béchamel & dill
Braised Steak & Frites
hanger steak / house fries & urnebes
Fried Chicken
24-hour marinated chicken breast / panko-almond crusted / apple-wasabi slaw
Steak Tartar
pine nut pesto butter / chili aioli / crispy capers / house-tosted bread
Pepper Croquette
herb-panko coated marinated piquillo pepper / stuffed with kajmak and aged sheep cheese / cranberry chutney

From 'Charcoal' Grill

Cevapi 'Balkan Kebab'
house-made Wells Family Farm beef sausages served with rosted pepper & feta cheese emulsion
Pork Neck
miso-mustard tarragon sauce peanut & bacon crumble / potato gratin
Chicken Skewers
24-hour brined and marinated overnight in spicy ajvar / pickled vegetables / kajmak sauce
Meatballs
house ground Wells Family Farm beef / bacon / gouda cheese / chili flakes / tomato sauce
Smoked Sausage
house-smoked pork sausage / Ambar mustard / cabbage slaw

Seafood

Salmon
sesame crusted and seared atlantic salmon served with eggplant jam, harissa and baby arugula
Drunken Mussels
steamed with capers, lemon & house-made rakija garlic cream sauce
Grilled Shrimp
shrimp marinated with house made rub served with corn puree
Rainbow Trout
crispy skin, served with fingerling potato salad and lemon-chilli sauce

Happy Hour Cocktails

Mojito$6.00
Light & Refreshing. Rum / mint / lime / simple syrup / house sour mix
Berry Daisy$6.00
Light & Refreshing. Vodka / mixed berry cordial / house sour mix
Ambar Old Fashioned$6.00
Strong & Boozy. Plum rakia / bourbon / cane syrup / bitters
Mango Lemonade$6.00
Sour & Tangy. Vodka / mango puree / house sour mix
Margarita$6.00
Sour & Tangy. Tequila / lime / agave nectar / house sour mix

Happy Hour Wine

Ambar Sparkling, Moldova$5.00
Ambar Sauvignon Blanc, Moldova$5.00
Ambar Rose, Moldova$5.00
Ambar Cabernet Sauvignon, Moldova$5.00

Happy Hour Beer

Yuengling, Pennsylvania$5.00
Lav, Serbia$6.00
Hard Apple Cider, Austria$5.00

What 4,291 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

District of Columbia
Best Value

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Filters

M
Marks
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Truly an experience. My favs were the Brussel sprouts, lamb lasagna, short ribs, and GET the Forest Gnocchi.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Jeremy was an amazing waiter and we had the best experience! Will definitely be coming back and recommending to friends!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing as always. Warm outdoor seating. Loved the small plates style and lots of vegetarian and non-red meat options.
N
Nikki
Washington DC
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food5service5ambience5
I enjoyed the food and the ambience but the price has gone up from 35 to 50 and the menu hasn’t changed much. Disappointed by the change
CB
CorinneB
Greensboro
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My bf and I went from out of town and we looooved our dinner at Ambar! The food was awesome and the service was superb. Tip: don’t fill up on bread Skip: flatbread + roasted veggies
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I ate at Ambar Capitol Hill for dinner while on a long weekend in DC. The food was amazing and we loved the ambiance. It was so much fun trying different things and everything we tried was delicious. I’ll be thinking about the beet tzatziki for a long, long time.
PD
PeterD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
I'm Serbian and wanted to see if this matched my mom's cooking. It was different but still outstanding. Our waiter was very attentive. I would recommend Ambar to anyone traveling to the Washington DC area.
KB
KimB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 13, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
What a great experience! The unlimited dinner gives you an opportunity to try just a small taste of lots of new and usual foods. Everything was tasty, but there were a few things that were amazing - the Brussels sprouts, the goulash, the mussels and the kajmak were some of our favorites. I would recommend Ambar to anyone visiting DC.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience!
SD
StaceyD
New York Area
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was such a great experience. The server was phenomenal and the food was excellent. We all left stuffed. And they sang happy birthday to my brother.
MS
MatthewS
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
5/5 would recommend to anyone looking for a wonderful array of dishes to pick at and try. A true Tapas style, most of the dishes are small but really wonderful. Go hungry as the all you can eat menu is well worth the price range. Our server Sierra was amazing and anticipated all our needs ahead of us asking. She was a rock star and would go back just for her service alone.
P
Paul
Phoenix
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food, great service. Outstanding experience
SM
SamM
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing, our sever was great and very attentive to us and made sure that we were taken care of. The food and the different drinks we had gotten were not only strong but great tasting. Noise was high due to a large brunch happening a few tables next to us, but aside from that everyone was super nice and friendly. The food and drinks kept coming & we weren’t rushed. Best brunch!!
CB
CBCH
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, it was great to have tapas style servings and be able to have everything from the menu if one desires. Staff was very nice and speedy.
M
Minnie
Washington DC
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall4food4service2ambience3
We had an 11:30 reservation and they were forcing us out by 1:10pm for the two hour minimum. I do not think we had time to order a third round of food.
AC
AnnaC
Philadelphia
5 reviews
vip
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Loved the all you can eat brunch option and bottomless drinks! I loved the Balkan-inspired dishes the most, but the general brunch-y items like potatoes were similar to what you'd get at a hotel breakfast and the mac and cheese was likely velveeta! Steak, pilaf, flatbreads and sliders had amazing flavor. I'd also highly recommend that the front desk staff ask each party if they are comfortable walking up multiple flights of stairs OR ask this question in Open Table when people are making reservations. Accessibility could be an issue for folks, and I wasn't made aware of it until AFTER climbing 2 flights of stairs to our table. Also note that if you are living in a larger body, the seating may not be the most comfortable (e.g., booths, some chairs that may be a bit unsteady). The aisle upstairs was also very narrow, and I watched someone in a larger body have a hard time navigating the seating upstairs. It seems like they value squeezing in more people than making it the most comfortable, inviting space for people of all body types/shapes/sizes. Come for the value, quick service and drinks, but if you're looking for a unique cultural/dining experience, I may suggest sticking away from the bottomless option that seems to value feeding many people in a service over flavor.
BL
BrittneyL
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
Underwhelming based off what I expected from the reviews.
RF
RaoulF
Philadelphia
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience
A
Anon
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent, distinctive, flavorful, enjoyed every bite.
JN
JayN
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
I took my 3 sisters, who were visiting from out of town, to Ambar. It was the perfect place for them to try new foods and flavors. They loved it, and everything was delicious. We did the all-you-can eat dinner, which was about $50 per person, before drinks, taxes and tip. It’s a little expensive, but worth it. I recommend Ambar to anyone looking to share a meal with friends and sample delicious Eastern European cuisine.
B
Bikesandhikes
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our server was helpful and informative. The food was delicious and well plated. Drinks were also delicious. I would definitely return!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Ambar dining experience for dinner was well worth it. Food was delicious!
AM
AlyssaM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, the staff was very friendly and knew the menu very well. While the price is a bit high it is worth the all you can eat experience as the food is very high quality.
MT
MarkTheKeep
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My fiancé and I went to Ambar for our date night. We had a great time. Our house was very kind, sweet and her best to accommodate any needs or questions we had. The food and drinks came out relatively fast. We tried so many different style plates. The small to medium size portions gives you the opportunity to try a lot of different things. I love the decor and ambience of the restaurant as well. I’ve been to Amber a couple times in. I would say that they are very consistent with the quality of food they serve. They have an unlimited drink menu that goes along side with the unlimited brunch, lunch, or dinner. My fiancé’s favorite dish were the chicken skewers. My favorite dish was the meat pie. I definitely plan to come back again. The manager of the restaurant “Nash” does a great job managing the facility.
W
William
San Francisco
54 reviews
vip
5.0
54 reviews
Dined on March 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food and outstanding service! The ambiance was perfect and they have an outstanding selection of wine. We were a party of six and everyone loved it! I highly recommend Ambar! You won't be disappointed!
T
Tygerian
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ambar was the perfect place for an intimate Monday date with the hubby. The cocktails pair well with dessert - the creativity in the Forest Gnocchi was delightful.
KH
KarenH
Austin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is a great restaurant to bring people from out of town or who might have strong food preferences or allergies. Lots of options, and there is an allergy menu.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I loved to be there. Food and service are great!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
3rd visit to Ambar and it remains one of my favorite DC restaurants. Food was delicious and the service was very good. I’ll be back!
JE
JamEri
Salt Lake City
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on March 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service! We LOVE at his restaurant!!
T
Trvlonstomach
Pittsburgh
50 reviews
vip
5.0
50 reviews
Dined on March 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
It was delicious! And a great value.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on March 2, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience3
Pretty disappointed & very meh. Servers were nice but unattentive and we had to flag them down despite it being a slow night. Some dishes were cold that should’ve been warm. Food was ok but not worth the price at all. I wanted to love it but was ☹️
IS
IrmakS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was a great experience in every way. Food was delicious and we tried almost everything in the menu - this is the lovely concept they do. You get to order as much as you want for two hours and they are all small bites but then you really get to try a variety of delicious food for a fixed price. Our server Robert was great. He was very attentive and communicative which is extremely important for this concept. When the first orders arrive, do not be alarmed because of the sizes. We were all very full towards the end and very happy. I keep on recommending Ambar to everyone.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Fun birthday dinner experience!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 25, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
Everything was excellent. Food excellent. Service excellent. There was a faint odor (old trash?)we noticed upon our arrival . Wait staff was seen spraying an overly powerful perfume to cover the smell. Aside from this minor issue - excellent.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 24, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Loved the hospitality!!
C
Cassie
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I have been trying to get to Ambar for some time and I am so glad to have finally got there! The service great, the food great, the ambiance great! I will be back soon!
B
Brunch
Washington DC
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday celebration at unlimited lunch. Melvin the waiter was awesome as was the food!
J
Jacey
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The last time I went to the Ambar was about 6 years ago and boy did it look different! I brought some friends with me this time to try the unlimited experience. I was so glad that the Ambar lived up to and exceeded expectations. The food was awesome, our server Roberto gave us great recommendations on what to order, and the unlimited drinks were a great value. We had an awesome night and my friend was surprised with an extra delicious birthday treat! The new interior design of the restaurant is beautiful and enhances your experience. Will not wait another 6 years to come back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Baltimore
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 21, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
It was nice and with a nice outdoor setting

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Ambar Capitol Hill using the Order Online button. Ambar Capitol Hill also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Ambar Capitol Hill also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 813-3039.

Ambar Capitol Hill is rated 4.8 stars by 4291 OpenTable diners.

Ambar Capitol Hill does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.